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Rhett Update | |||||||||||||||||
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About Rhett |
About RhettOn February 15, 2000, Rhett Warman's life and family changed. He was five years-old and a perfectly healthy boy. A natural athlete who loved to play any type of sport, Rhett was fun-loving, and a tad mischievous. He loved life and embraced every minute of it. He saw the fun and potential in every situation. When other kids might be in a heated debate, with a grin Rhett would serve as the peacemaker with his friendly "C'mon, you guys, LET'S PLAY!" On that day, two days after Valentine's Day, Rhett, his brother Travis, and cousin Betsy (Joel's daughter) --collectively self-named, "The Three Musketeers"--went to Purdy's Restaurant in Richardson for dinner with Grandma and Aunt Debby. Dinner with Grandma (and often Aunt Debby) on Wednesdays evenings before church was an event to which the trio always looked forward. It was tradition. Without warning Rhett collapsed on the floor with a seizure. His body continued to be attacked throughout the night, into days, weeks, and now years. Doctors have tried all types of strategies and drug therapies without successfully halting the seizures. Rhett's parents have continually searched for answers. Since then, Rhett has rarely spoken or communicated. We miss him terribly. So do the other two Musketeers.
TOP SurgeryRhett's doctors have decided to try brain surgery. The beginning of the procedure is to occur 7.31.02 at Children's Hospital in Dallas. On that day, holes will be created in Rhett's skull so that electrodes can be attached to his brain. The brain will then be monitored for 5-7 days while in ICU in an effort to pinpoint the origins of the seizures. If 80% of the seizures can be attributed to a specific area of the brain that could be removed without impacting Rhett's functionality, the physicians will enter his skull a second time and remove that part of the brain. The good news is that those who qualify for surgery have an amazingly high rate of success. The bad news is that number of those who qualify is much lower. The Prayer ServiceOn 7.29.02 a prayer service was held to ask God to heal little Rhett at the Greenville Oaks Church of Christ in Allen, TX. Friends and family from other churches and faiths assembled in a unified request for divine intervention. There was a time of singing, led by Dan Stevens of the Richardson East Church of Christ, with Russ Riddle and the Greenville Oaks Praise Team, while the thoughts of the event were lead by Edd Eason, of Central Dallas Ministries and Keith Maloney of Greenville Oaks. Elders, Ministers and Pastors from G.O., R.E. and the Custer Road United Methodist Church in Plano prayed over Rhett, as did many small groups. The family was stunned, honored and humbled at the number of people who attended. We expected perhaps 100-150 people; instead nearer to 300 joined us! We know that prayers were offered up from all over: nearby in the Metroplex, from San Marcos, Texas, to California, to the Cleveland, Ohio area. In fact, Aunt Barb, Uncle Bobby and Uncle Joe from Ohio attempted to come, but bad weather grounded their plane in Cleveland that afternoon. To all those who came and showed your support, we are forever in your debt. Thank you from the ` TOP
7.31.02MAIN
EVENTS OF THE DAY
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The Family in Dallas wishes to thank you for the incredible support of all our friends and extended family throughout the United States and the World! |
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Special Prayer Request: 10:20 P.M.
This evening we learned that Rhett's doctors have analyzed some of the data retrieved from the electrodes, X-rays, MRI and other sources. Rhett has definitely suffered significant brain damage to his right hemisphere. In order for his brain to recover that loss, it must "remap" by compensating to the opposite, corresponding side of the brain, i.e. the left hemisphere. Our prayer is that the seizures will be pinpointed on the right hemisphere where there is already damage, so the left side may be left untouched, thereby increasing Rhett's chances for recovering.
If this sounds like a lot of tired jibber jabber, we'll leave it at this: please pray that the source of the seizures will be from the right side. Thanks so much!
From
Kathy, 10:18 P.M.:
They are now monitoring brain activity. The right side of Rhett's
brain appears to be very sick. The left side is better but not
perfect. We are now hoping that the seizures are coming from the
right side. The right side is also a better choice for operating.
It is considered less dominant and normally NOT where speech resides. Rhett's
recovery so far has been great. Dr. Riela thought he looked better
than expected.
TOP
About
Rhett | Surgery
| The
Prayer Service | 7.31.02
|Special
Prayer Request | 8.1.02 |
Betsy's
Poem | 8.2.02
Surgery #2 | 8.3.02|8.4.02
| 8.5.02 | 8.6.02
| 8.7.02|
8.8.02 |8.9.02 | 8.10.02|
8.14.02
8.1.02: Out of ICU!
MAIN
EVENTS OF THE DAY
9:00 PM
NASAMan slept through the night and is still very sleepy.
12:00 PM
Moved out of ICU! A little after lunchtime Rhett was moved out of
ICU! He is now on floor 5 of Children's Hospital, Dallas, room
518. He is near elevator G.
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To avoid disrupting observation instruments and minimize the threat of infection, the doctors have requested that visitors NOT send or bring anything "alive," to the hospital, such as plants or flowers. Thanks! |
12:45 PM
Rhett continues to move in and out of slumber. He did awake
finally and cried. He seemed to be in some pain, so he was given
morphine.
2:30 PM Things are a bit stormy and confusing right now. I'll be the first to admit: technology can stink. It seems the strip, which connected to the electrode connected to Rhett's brain has moved a bit. On the other hand, the doc's aren't sure, since they can't get a reading from that strip--seems to be a technology glitch. Rhett has had at least 5 seizures today, but due to the tech issues, pinpointing their location has been unsure.
4:00 PM Moved rooms, to 522, to see if the tech problem is the room, the cables, or whatever. The Doctors are considering another surgery in the morning to relocate the errant electrode...if it is indeed the electrode's fault. All is pretty puzzling. Plus, Rhett became sick from the pain meds. Dr. R. is supposed to come by this evening. They will make their decision then, I assume.
4:25 PM The tech issues seem to have been fixed. All electrodes are reporting data as designed. However, the doc's haven't decided about surgery tomorrow.
8:00 PM George met with the doctors. After a discussion and study of all the data and film, they decided to go ahead with a second surgery in the morning. They will disconnect the naughty electrode strip and attach a second one, thus providing more accurate information. One thing they have learned: the seizures engulf the brain so quickly it's impossible to discern from what hemisphere they start, or if they are not following a pattern. Consequently, Rhett's anti-seizure medication will be increased a bit, since it will slow down the speed of the electronic pulses inside the brain. Though they cannot tell from which side they come, they do think they are coming from the front of the brain, rather than the back (temporal lobe) as they had expected.
8:30 PM Rhett was gradually coming back, opening his eyes and verbalizing a little. George was able to get him to swallow some 7-Up, while amazed nurses continually checked on him, commenting frequently on his good looks and incredible blue eyes. I sat there, watching and pretended Rhett would suddenly wink at one of them and say, "I know I'm awesome. Let's go play some ball!" Just wait, you'll shock 'em yet, Rhett!
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Hit it, Rhett! |
PRAYER WARRIORS: Please lift up especially George, Kathy, and Grandma Kathy (George's mom), as they have been with Rhett pretty much 24/7. Kathy has been staying all day, from early in the AM to the evening, when George/Grandma have worked the night shift. May God bless them with sleep they can get it, as well as stamina and steady health through this grueling time.
TOP
About
Rhett | Surgery
| The
Prayer Service | 7.31.02
|Special
Prayer Request | 8.1.02
|Betsy's
Poem | 8.2.02
Surgery #2 | 8.3.02|8.4.02
| 8.5.02 | 8.6.02
| 8.7.02|
8.8.02 |8.9.02 | 8.10.02|
8.14.02
Betsy's Poem
| This morning I went to wake Betsy up and I found that she had created this poem on her computer. She did it last night around 2:00 A.M. Like her daddy, Kid finds writing very therapeutic. |  |
God
Loves You
God
Loves You
So do I
the plan and it is grand, but patience is on the other hand,
Watching you play ball outside and big water fights
Laughing and playing and having fun--that was us all right,
We had our fun times until that night.
God
Loves You
So do I
He wipes the tears from my eyes
He knows the plan and it is grand, but patience is on the
other hand,
Watching you learn to talk again and walk again was neat,
God got you through the coma and we were on both feet.
So do I
He wipes the tears from my eyes
He knows the plan and it is grand, but patience is on the other hand,
When we prayed for you on praise service night,
We all prayed and loved
you very much
A lot of prayers went up that night,
God
Loves you
So do I
He wipes the tears from my eyes
He knows the plan and it is grand, but patience is on the other hand,
He had his angels watching you in the hospital’s recovery room
They were there and pulled you through.
So do I
He wipes the tears when I cry
He knows the plan and it is grand, but patience is on the other hand
I know when you go into this surgery
The doctors to our delight will find the cure it’s for sure
And that you will be all right
God
loves you Rhett,
So do I
He wipes the tears when I cry
God knows the cure that’s for sure
So I know that you will be all Right!
He knows the plan and it is grand and
Soon we will be back together again.
Love,
Betsy
TOP
About
Rhett | Surgery
| The
Prayer Service | 7.31.02
|Special
Prayer Request | 8.1.02
|Betsy's
Poem | 8.2.02
Surgery #2 | 8.3.02|8.4.02
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8.5.02 | 8.6.02 | 8.7.02|
8.8.02 |8.9.02 | 8.10.02
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8.14.02
8.2.02: Surgery #2
MAIN
EVENTS OF THE DAY
NIGHT Very
rough one. Beginning around 12:45 AM, Rhett had seizures.
The first one was a doosey, lasting around 9 minutes. The others
were 1-3 minutes in duration and hit at 1:45, 2:45 and 4:00. The
doctors still have him on anti-seizure meds, but he's had trouble
keeping them down.
7:00 AM Rhett went in for surgery.
9:45 AM Rhett out of surgery and okay. The neurologist and surgeon both came to the room to talk to George: they were very pleased. They said it went "perfectly." He's in recovery now, but will return to 522 when he's ready. Note: they did have enlarge one of the original holes tunneled into his skull.
12:30 PM Kathy fed Rhett some Jello. Hummm, that was okay, but how about some chicken broth, Mom? How about some broth with crush crackers in it? Way to go, Rhett!
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Gettin' his snack on! |
AFTERNOON As you can see in the picture, the spaceman look is out. Several white strands of wire bouquet from Rhett's scalp now. We were finally able to get some anti-seizure meds + Tylenol down the boy, but the afternoon was an uncomfortable one for him. He tossed and turned and groaned and cried. Was he in pain? Sick of the bed? Did he have a headache? It was really hard to tell. By the end of the day, nausea medicine was started to prepare him for morphine to follow. He should have a much better night.
TOP
About
Rhett | Surgery
| The
Prayer Service | 7.31.02
|Special
Prayer Request | 8.1.02
|Betsy's
Poem | 8.2.02
Surgery #2 | 8.3.02|8.4.02
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8.5.02 | 8.6.02 | 8.7.02|
8.8.02 |8.9.02 | 8.10.02|
8.14.02
8.3.02
Sal and I just returned from the hospital. It is evening. Rhett had a seizure--or cluster of seizures--last night that lasted 26 minutes. The doc's had to be called in and they hit the seizures with Adavan, which worked, so Rhett is groggy and calm today. He seems peaceful and in no pain. We watched golf with him. Sal put a ball under his hand and true to the Rhettman form, he kept it there...no one loves playing ball more than Mr. Rhett.
Dr. R. came by. They're still not sure from which hemisphere the seizures are initializing. And he also said they seem to be coming from the frontal, rather than temporal lobe, which they had not expected.
Let's all pray for a miracle. God has the power!
8.4.02
Rhett, Deb and I got into some heavy watching of Blues Clues, and then we watched the Red Sox blow out the Rangers. Wow, that was a surprise. Rhett kept his eyes on the game, though.
He was much better today. While Grandma Lois was there, he had three "good" seizures: the kind that are long enough to give the doc's some good data, but not very long in duration. Because they started increasing his anti-seizure meds yesterday, he was rather sleepy throughout the day. We did manage to get a dose of his medicine down with some apple sauce, as well as some "chicken" of some type.
Thanks to Grandma Kathy, George and Mom Kathy will get a well-deserved night at home. After Travis's first football practice today, Coach George will need it! Meanwhile, Travman is gearing up for his birthday, this Tuesday! Happy early BDay, Travis!
Rhett had a great day today. He ate lunch for Kathy and Grandma Lindsey and even played ball. He is still very weak, and sitting up on his own is not easy for him. He has a great curve ball that Aunt Sally can't catch. Maybe the Rangers can sign him up! The doctor came in very late so we don't have all the details. He talked with George and Kathy on the phone and told them Rhett looked good and he has enough information to take the probes out on Wednesday. Keep praying: God is good.
TOP
About
Rhett | Surgery
| The
Prayer Service | 7.31.02
|Special
Prayer Request | 8.1.02
|Betsy's
Poem | 8.2.02
Surgery #2 | 8.3.02|8.4.02
| 8.5.02 | 8.6.02
| 8.7.02|
8.8.02 |8.9.02 | 8.10.02
|8.14.02
8.6.02
HAPPY BIRTHDAY
TRAVIS!!! Travis turns 9 today. The
family celebrated brother Travis's birthday at the Trail Dust restaurant
near the hospital while Grandma Lindsey and Rhett hung out together.
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Betsy
and Travis ride the slide at |
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EVENING. Very unhappy news. Just learned the doctors met with Kathy and George. Their sentiments were that there was nothing more they could do now for Rhett, and there were not any surgical options for the future. They will continue with drug therapy. Rhett will have surgery tomorrow morning to remove the strips placed on his brain last week.
10:45 AM Rhett finished his third surgery in one week's time and did well. The monitoring strips were removed without a problem. Rhett did so well that he may be allowed to head home tomorrow. For tonight he's been given a "luxury suite" with a great view of the Parkland helipad, as well as three times as much room, and two matching love seats/beds. Free from the barrage of wires on his head, Rhett celebrated his freedom by twisting his head left-to-right and visa-versa several times.
EVENING. Rhett is ready to go home. He slept most of the day, with occasional periods of stretching, checking out the view and smiling at his daddy. George carefully stood him up on his bed, and Rhett seemed to like that. He's wobbly, but looking good. Mom was able to get some food down him, too.
FUTURE POSSIBILITIES. Kathy and George are seriously considering another procedure in 4-6 weeks: inserting a Vagal ("va-gul") Nerve Stimulator. Through an outpatient surgical process, a small implant will be placed under the skin on Rhett's chest. Connected to the implant would be a wire that will wrap around the vagal nerve that runs up the left neck to the brain. The stimulator would "massage" the nerve which would stimulate the brain to hopefully achieve an opposite reaction and prevent seizures. The hope is that with a reduced amount of seizures, Rhett's meds can be reduced and his quality of life and ability to learn will improve.
TOP
About
Rhett | Surgery
| The
Prayer Service | 7.31.02
|Special
Prayer Request | 8.1.02
|Betsy's
Poem | 8.2.02
Surgery #2 | 8.3.02|8.4.02
| 8.5.02 | 8.6.02
| 8.7.02
| 8.8.02
|8.9.02 | 8.10.02|
8.14.02
Rhett came home from the hospital after lunch today. Kathy said it was quite obvious he was happy to be home!
EDITOR'S NOTE: Even though Rhett is going home today, I will continue to run the website, due to possible procedures in the future, as well as the frequent requests the family receives for updates.
Big Rhett is pretty weak, as you might expect after a week that included three surgeries, multiple Homeric seizures and not a lot of food. However, he is very, very motivated to get up and walk, so Kathy and George have kept him under close watch to guard against opening any of the healing incisions.
Tomorrow Rhett has invited the family over to swim--one of his favorite past times--and have dinner in a place that is NOT a hospital.
DINNER. The big family dinner was yesterday evening at the Warmans with Aunts Deb, Sally, Tammy and Uncles Joel and Neal ("Singe"), as well as Cousin Betsy and Matt, Grandma Lois and Grandma Kathy attending. George grilled some awesome burgers and we ate like pigs and as usual Kathy had the house looking beautifully. It was great to be together in a much more relaxing atmosphere, to talk about trivial things, to tease and laugh.
Rhett is eating very well (he loves those strawberries, huh, Grandma?) and amazingly, just a few days after doctors where working on his brain, he's up and wanting to play ball and walk everywhere. When he's up moving, someone always holds a hand, since he's still rather shaky, but Rhett certainly leads the way. There are just too many interesting things to see for a little guy to sit still. With an occasional smile--how great to see!--it was obvious he was happy to be home.
SCHOOL NEWS. We were happy to find out that the school district agreed with Rhett's doctor: he will stay in the same school he has been attending. A new and nearer school is opening this year and the Warman home resides within that zone. However, Dr. R. felt it best for Rhett to remain in familiar surroundings. Rhett and Travis have had excellent teachers and staff at that school. These people are very special and care deeply about our boys.
TOP
About
Rhett | Surgery
| The
Prayer Service | 7.31.02
|Special
Prayer Request | 8.1.02
|Betsy's
Poem | 8.2.02
Surgery #2 | 8.3.02|8.4.02
| 8.5.02 | 8.6.02
| 8.7.02|
8.8.02 |8.9.02 | 8.10.02|
8.14.02
FIRST DAYS OF SCHOOL. Rhett has completed two days of school and they have gone very well. His eye contact has been outstanding and he has been looking around, noticing his surroundings, which is awesome. No seizures have occurred since last Saturday. A visit to the neurologist yesterday will have Rhett taking new medicine that seems to be right for the type of seizures he was having in the hospital. It will be 3-4 months before they will consider the Vagal Nerve Stimulator, because time is needed for this new medication to take affect.
TRAVIS UPDATE: Trav the Man is doing wonderfully: his favorite part of school is riding his bike there and back. Also, Travis had to weigh-in under a certain number of pounds for football to be eligible to carry the ball (so the little kids don't get steamrolled!) and he made it by one pound! Travis is excited to be a fullback.
About
Rhett | Surgery
| The
Prayer Service | 7.31.02
|Special
Prayer Request | 8.1.02
|Betsy's
Poem | 8.2.02
Surgery #2 | 8.3.02|8.4.02
| 8.5.02 | 8.6.02
| 8.7.02|
8.8.02 |8.9.02 | 8.10.02|
8.14.02